Team Contego’s Phillip Buys made it two in a row when he won the second event in the three part Momentum Health XCO Internationals at Karkloof Falls on Saturday 3rd March. Buys showed superb form and skill over the testing seven lap course to cross the line in one hour, thirty-five minutes and 57 seconds. Buys faced a strong challenge from a top international field but it was the feisty young James Reid (Nedbank 360Life) who took the lead at the end of lap three before the Buys bit back, clocking his fastest laps in the second half of the race to finish up with a thirty five second lead. French rider Cedric Ravenel (Team GT Skoda) took third place ahead of Great Britian’s David Fletcher and Luke Roberts (RE:CM) taking fifth. It was unfortunate that Team Orange Monkey’s Rourke Croeser (second at Giba Gorge) experienced a broken chain on lap two as he was once again on the bubble with the leaders.
The presence of Team GT Skoda made for exciting racing in the women’s Pro Elite event. Cecile Ravenel (France) and Lene Byberg (Norway) controlled the race but it was Ravenel who claimed it after five laps of consistent racing. Byberg placed second just twenty-six seconds back with South Africa’s best, Yolande Speedy (USN) placing third, having taken the fastest lap split on lap one. Lee Craigie (GB) placed fourth with Candice Neethling (BMC) claiming fifth.
The Juniors showed top class racing with several internationals riders in the line-up which gave local riders the opportunity to pit themselves against overseas competition. Kyle Dorkin (Ellsworth SA) claimed the honours in the Junior Men’s race over five laps in 1h15.07. Great Britain’s Alex Baker placed second while a hard crash left early race leader Patrick Belton (Team Jeep SA) in third place.
Savannah Vosloo (BMC) took the win in the Junior Women in a time of one hour, thirteen minutes and 5 seconds, just seventeen seconds clear of Hayley Smith (Bell) and Cape Town’s Nicole Erasmus in third.
Photo: Cycho Media
View the full album here
Track builder Nick Floros of NES Trails, in conjunction with Karkloof MTB Trails and landowner Sappi , provided a world class course against the backdrop of the scenic Karkloof Falls. The Non-UCI (age-group) categories raced the same track on Sunday and although the fringe effects of Cyclone Irene hitting the KZN coastline did make for a muddy track for the Veteran and Sub-Junior men racing later in the day, the track was enjoyed by all while producing some highly competitive racing.
The third and final event in the Momentum Health XCO Internationals, presented by KZN MTB, takes place at the Cascades MTB Park this next weekend (10th & 11th March) and will be the perfect curtain raiser for the Rocky Roads UCI MTB World Cup the following weekend at the same venue. With over 100 International Athletes already signed up for the Cross-Country and the Down Hill you can be assured of an action packed two days of racing.
The track is very spectator friendly and entry is free for this weekend, 10th & 11th March. KZN Mountain Biking is ready to welcome the crowds of mountain bike fans and enthusiasts to come and watch and enjoy mountain biking at the very top level of racing.
RESULTS:
Elite Men: P Buys 1h35.57, J Reid 1h36.32, C Ravenel 1h37.26, D Fletcher 1h38.19, L Roberts 1h39.26. Elite Women: C Ravenel 1h20.24, L Byberg 1h20.50, Y Speedy 1h21.56, L Craigie 1h23.28, C Neethling 1h23.49.
Day 1 : UCI Categories: http://www.kznmtb.co.za/race-results
Day 2: Non UCI Categories: http://www.kznmtb.co.za/race-results
PHOTO’s:
Day 1: https://www.facebook…76786933&type=1
Day 2: https://www.facebook…76786933&type=1
YOU TUBE:
Day 1 : Juniors and Pro-Elite Ladies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV1B88zsRl4&feature=share
Day 2 : Pro-Elite Men and Non UCI Categories: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maAAehCrsPo&feature=share
Funny Crash Clip :
The Flying Volstruis : https://www.facebook…v=3434978275725
The MOMENTUM HEALTH XCO INTERNATIONALS are proudly brought to you by KZN Mountain Biking and Max Cluer Sports Marketing.
For more info:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kznmtb
Twitter: @kznmtb
